Chapter 20

Chu Ci stepped back a few paces, creating distance from Xu Jingsi, and pointed to Lin Tian. “I’m here to pick up my love.”
Xu Jingsi was surprised. “So Comrade Lin is your love? What a coincidence.”
She fell silent, running out of words.
Lin Tian remained seated. Chu Ci smiled at her and replied, “Yes, quite a coincidence.”
Zhao Yunyun and Xu Zhiyuan had not returned yet, so Lin Tian couldn’t leave first.
“Do you know each other?” Lin Tian asked deliberately.
Chu Ci didn’t hide anything. “This is the mother of the child I saved. Didn’t expect to meet her here.”
“Comrade Lin, in a couple of days I’ll personally come with my son to thank you. Comrade Chu saved him, and we haven’t had the chance to express our gratitude yet,” Xu Jingsi said sincerely.
They had been away from the capital for a while and had just returned. They had originally been troubled about not having Chu Ci’s home address, but today’s coincidence resolved that problem.
“You should. After all, he almost became a man who abandoned his wife because of this,” Lin Tian couldn’t help but say.
Xu Jingsi looked at the two, a mix of confusion and helplessness on her face.
Chu Ci stepped forward and took Lin Tian’s hand, whispering, “They don’t know about my amnesia.”
Lin Tian was surprised, this wasn’t mentioned in the book.
“What’s going on?” she asked, puzzled.
Chu Ci cleared his throat and explained quietly. “I told the doctors not to tell anyone.”
Only family knew about his memory loss.
Lin Tian fell silent. So that was the case.
Since that was true, let Xu Jingsi come if she wanted. Lin Tian wanted to see if the male protagonist as a child was really as clever as the book said.
Perhaps because she was about to become a mother, she could understand Chu Ci saving the male protagonist but still couldn’t get over it. Maybe only after giving birth, with time, could she gradually forget.
“Sorry, my love is just upset with me,” Chu Ci explained to Xu Jingsi.
Xu Jingsi was still uneasy but insisted, “Can I still bring Xiaoyu to your home?” She asked this directed at Lin Tian.
Lin Tian looked down at her belly, then lifted her gaze to Xu Jingsi’s expectant face. “Sure, come by.”
Xu Jingsi’s face lit up. “Then this weekend, my husband and I will bring him over. Xiaoyu keeps talking about how Comrade Chu saved him.”
With that settled, Xu Jingsi remembered her original purpose for coming, helping her brother with a blind date. She naturally felt a little more grateful to Zhao Yunyun; without her, she wouldn’t have met Chu Ci and his wife today.
Chairman Huang hadn’t interfered, but understanding what had happened, she happily said, “This is truly fated; your families should be one.”
Lin Tian spoke up, “We still have to consider the young people’s wishes.”
“Yes, yes,” Chairman Huang agreed without embarrassment.
Soon, the two who had gone for a walk returned. They seemed to have enjoyed their conversation, both still wearing faint smiles.
“Yunyun, let’s go,” Lin Tian said.
The group split ways. On the way back, Lin Tian asked Zhao Yunyun about her impression of Xu Zhiyuan. She lowered her gaze, and Lin Tian could tell her heart was stirred. Yunyun said, “I think he’s pretty good. What about you, Sister Tian?”
Lin Tian considered carefully. “He is good, but your parents are gone. What about after having children? And after you marry, can you follow the military? The island is far and tough. Can you handle it? What about your brother, is he willing?”
There were many issues between them, but Lin Tian focused on the most apparent ones.
“I don’t know. I haven’t thought that far,” Zhao Yunyun sighed.
“That’s fine. You can try spending time with him. If it doesn’t work out, part ways. Maybe later, you’ll realize he isn’t as good as you imagined,” Lin Tian offered as advice.
“Alright, I’ll remember, Sister Tian,” Zhao Yunyun said, taking another bus.
“You seem to dislike the Xu siblings,” Chu Ci noticed.
Lin Tian, irritated again, thought, Well, what else? They’re grateful to you, but the consequences fall on me and my unborn child.
Old grievances resurfaced, and her attitude remained unchanged.
Chu Ci understood her scolding and stayed silent, letting her vent. Lin Tian didn’t want to dwell on it, but thinking of the plot made her flare up.
At home, Lin Tian went to her room for a nap. She didn’t want to see Chu Ci for now. Thankfully, he didn’t follow her in.
When Lin Tian woke up, she found Chu Ci peeling chestnuts in the living room.
On the table were sliced apples and oranges, and a small bowl of chestnuts he had prepared.
“You’re awake. Come have some fruit. Aunt Miao said you wanted chestnut chicken. She and Aunt Wang went to get the chicken, so the chestnuts are left to me,” Chu Ci said hesitantly.
Refreshed from her nap, Lin Tian laughed. “What a bother, Comrade Chu. Peel more, I love the chestnuts in this dish.”
She sat down to eat fruit, observing Chu Ci.
He lowered his head and continued, his long fingers surprisingly graceful even for this task.
Lin Tian handed him a piece of orange. He smiled and bit into it.
“How many times have you met the family you saved?” Lin Tian asked.
“Twice. Once the day I saved them, once when they left the capital to visit my school. The child’s father is Huo Mingzhao, also a soldier. On the train, it was Comrade Xu himself bringing the child,” Chu Ci replied.
Lin Tian pondered and ended the topic.
A few days later, after meals, Lin Tian resumed her usual Baduanjin practice.
Chu Ci was reading a foreign literature book.
Aunt Chu Mingshan and Jiang Ying had gone home yesterday. Uncle had returned from a business trip, they couldn’t leave him alone.
After practicing, Lin Tian, tired, sat across from Chu Ci, drinking water and watching him.
The sunlight wasn’t strong, but warm, filling the room.
Suddenly, someone knocked. Aunt Miao went to open the door.
Chu Ci put down his book, ready to greet the visitor, with Lin Tian following.
Aunt Miao led in the guests, it was the male protagonist’s family.
Lin Tian had already met Xu Jingsi. Her husband, Huo Mingzhao, was in military uniform, with sharp facial features, a high nose, and thick eyebrows. He looked serious, holding gifts, and saluted Chu Ci upon seeing him. “Comrade Chu, sorry to bother you.”
Chu Ci smiled warmly. “Not at all. Welcome to our home.”
Lin Tian’s gaze shifted from them and finally rested on the male protagonist, now a three-year-old child. He held his mother’s hand obediently, his face strikingly similar to his father’s.
After the adults finished speaking, he let go of his mother and hugged Chu Ci’s leg, softly saying, “Uncle Chu, thank you for saving me. I’ve never forgotten you. I missed you so much. But my parents never brought me to see you. Today I finally get to meet you.”
Chu Ci, anticipating his own child’s birth, extended the love to Huo Xiaoyu. He patted the boy’s head gently. “I haven’t forgotten you either. Next time, if you miss me, have your mother bring you to my home. Soon, there will be two little babies at my house. You can come see them.”
Huo Xiaoyu was excited. “Really? Then I get to be a big brother!”
He liked Uncle Chu and would naturally like his babies too.
Lin Tian watched silently, unmoved.
Chu Ci introduced her. “This is my wife, Lin Tian. She’s almost seven months pregnant.”
His voice was full of joy and anticipation.
“Hello, I’m Lin Tian,” she said with a gentle smile, treating them as ordinary guests.
Huo Xiaoyu looked at her curiously, then smiled. “Auntie, you’re so pretty.”
Lin Tian was taken aback but smiled. The male protagonist as a child was quite charming.
“Really? You have a sweet mouth,” she praised, then stayed quiet.
Sensing her disinterest, no one forced conversation. Most of the time, it was Chu Ci and Huo Mingzhao talking, occasionally interspersed with the child’s innocent remarks.
Xu Jingsi was very quiet as well; she wasn’t naturally good at socializing. Since her husband was present, she naturally didn’t speak much. The two men chatted happily while the two women exchanged glances.
Lin Tian pushed the fruit on the table toward her side and finally said, “Have something to eat.”
Xu Jingsi didn’t move, and Lin Tian didn’t insist. She was caught in a dilemma, on one hand, she felt she shouldn’t pay too much attention to the male lead’s family, but on the other, she couldn’t help recalling the plot from the book.
At that moment, she suddenly heard Huo Mingzhao say, “Comrade Chu, you rescued Xiaoyu from the traffickers, which makes you like his reborn parent. We know you don’t expect any reward, but as the Huo family, we can’t just do nothing. His mother and I have discussed it; why not let him recognize you as his godfather so our families can maintain frequent contact? Xiaoyu can also see you often and learn to respect you in the future.”
Xu Jingsi’s expression remained unchanged. It seemed the couple had reached an agreement.
Chu Ci was momentarily taken aback and quickly declined, “There’s really no need. Brother Huo, anyone who knew it was a trafficker wouldn’t have ignored it. I care for Xiaoyu, but acknowledging kinship… let’s just leave it.”
Huo Mingzhao then looked at Lin Tian and asked, “Sister-in-law, do you feel the same?”
At first, Lin Tian had resisted the idea, but after thinking it through carefully, she decided it wouldn’t hurt. The male lead would be quite capable in the future; even if her own family wouldn’t need him, there was no reason to push him away.
With that in mind, she smiled and said, “I don’t mind, we’ll follow Chu Ci’s decision.”
Chu Ci, however, genuinely didn’t want to. Huo Mingzhao couldn’t press further without seeming forceful, so he compromised: “Even if you don’t agree, we’ll still keep in touch often. Chu Ci, just think of me as another brother.”
With that, Chu Ci could hardly refuse.
Huo Mingzhao left his family’s address and phone number and prepared to take his leave.
Before leaving, Huo Xiaoyu suddenly said something surprising: “Auntie, can I touch your belly? Mommy said there are babies in there, and I want to say goodbye to them too.”
After a moment, Lin Tian smiled, “Sure. Next time you come, you’ll get to see them.”
Chu Ci lifted Huo Xiaoyu to the same height as Lin Tian’s belly. Xiaoyu cautiously touched her stomach and in a small childlike voice said, “Babies, be good. Don’t bother Auntie. Next time, big brother will come to see you and bring the toys I like.”
Having said that, he signaled to Uncle Chu that he could put him down.
All four adults watched this little grown-up scene, some amused, some bewildered. Even Lin Tian felt a bit lighter inside.
After the Huo family left, Chu Ci helped her back to the room.
For the first time, Lin Tian felt a little petty, she had actually treated the male lead, just three years old, as a rival. Fortunately, no one would ever know.
Time slowly passed, and Chu Ci had already started school. Lin Tian’s due date approached rapidly, and her belly grew impressively large. Chu Ci watched nervously every day, rushing home after classes and making multiple trips.
Lin Tian herself remained calm, following her daily routine: eating on time, sleeping well, and exercising. She was anxious, but she tried to maintain her best state for childbirth.
In mid-October, a few days before her due date, Lin Tian and Chu Ci decided she should be admitted to the hospital early.
On the third night in the hospital, as usual, Chu Ci was telling her a children’s story before sleep. Lin Tian, enjoying a snack while listening, suddenly felt a wave of regular pain.
She put down her snack, turned to interrupt Chu Ci, forcing a smile, “Something feels wrong. Go get the doctor to check on me.”
Chu Ci’s book fell to the ground with a snap. Usually composed, he rushed out without picking it up.
Soon, he returned with a doctor.
The doctor checked Lin Tian and found she was only one centimeter dilated. He said to Chu Ci, “She still has some time before labor. Go buy her some food to replenish her strength.”
Just as Chu Ci was about to leave, Lin Tian grabbed his sleeve, forcing out through the pain, “Come back quickly.”
Chu Ci nodded, heartache obvious in his eyes, and kissed her forehead, “I’ll be back soon.”
Lin Tian had no other thoughts; the pain was too intense. Her back was soaked with sweat, her forehead glistening.
Soon, Chu Ci returned with food: a red sugar fried egg and a bowl of clear soup noodles, as Lin Tian had requested since she wasn’t very hungry.
She managed to eat the egg and about a third of the noodles before she couldn’t eat anymore. Chu Ci finished the rest and helped her walk around the room to ease discomfort.
After a while, she grew drowsy and fell asleep in bed, while Chu Ci remained awake, watching over her.
In the early hours, a sharp pain woke her.
“Chu Ci, call the doctor, I think it’s time to give birth,” Lin Tian cried.
Chu Ci, who had stayed with her all night, quickly went to get the doctor.
After examination, the doctor finally said, “The mother is ready to deliver. Prepare to enter the delivery room.”
Lin Tian was pushed into the delivery room. Chu Ci watched anxiously but could only remain outside.
He remembered her instructions and quickly called the aunt’s house to inform them of the birth.
While Chu Ci waited anxiously, Chu Mingshan arrived with supplies for the baby and Aunt Miao. Jiang Ying also followed, though Chu Mingshan didn’t pay her much attention, at least the daughter wouldn’t be unreasonable now.
Chu Mingshan found Chu Ci pacing anxiously outside the delivery room.
“Xiao Ci, how long has Tiantian been in there?” she asked, grabbing her nephew.
He had to stop pacing and answer, “Over two hours. How long does it usually take, Aunt?”
Chu Mingshan, also anxious, comforted him, “Don’t worry, it won’t be long.”
Jiang Ying, sleepy but eager, tagged along quietly, curious to see a newborn and excited to be an aunt.
Meanwhile, in the delivery room, Lin Tian experienced a pain unlike anything in her previous life. She knew childbirth was painful, but never imagined it would hurt so much.
In a daze, she felt as if her bones were breaking, this kind of agony, she vowed, she would never endure a second time.
After more than five hours, in the faint morning light, the twins were finally born, one after the other.
“They’re a boy and a girl, congratulations,” said the doctor, showing them to Lin Tian, who was too exhausted to even open her eyes and fell asleep again.
Outside, everyone finally saw the babies.
Upon learning it was a boy and girl, Chu Mingshan’s smile couldn’t be contained: “Perfect, a son and daughter.”
Chu Ci, however, focused on Lin Tian, following her back to the room.
Chu Mingshan and Aunt Miao each held a baby, while Jiang Ying curiously observed. Then she exclaimed incredulously, “Mom, why are they so ugly?”
“Don’t be silly. All newborns look like this. Once they grow a bit, they’ll be beautiful. The boy takes after his mother, big eyes and double eyelids. The girl takes after your cousin, high nose bridge, she’ll be gorgeous when she grows up,” Chu Mingshan replied.
Jiang Ying pouted silently.
After bringing the babies back to the room, Aunt Miao said, “When Lin Tian wakes, she’ll be hungry. I’ll go prepare some food for her.”
Chu Mingshan nodded politely, “Thank you, Aunt Miao.”
She planned to have her nephew give Aunt Miao a generous red envelope later.
Only then did Chu Ci see his children. He didn’t dare hold them yet, only glanced at his daughter and asked, “Tiantian had chosen the nickname Ling Ling for the girl. Aunt, what do you think?”
Chu Mingshan immediately liked the name, “Sounds good. What about the boy?”
“I don’t know yet. We’ll wait until Tiantian wakes,” Chu Ci replied, turning his attention back to the sleeping Lin Tian.
Jiang Ying, finally seeing the children, could no longer fight off her long-standing drowsiness. She told Chu Mingshan she was leaving to sleep. Today’s lessons would have to be skipped.
Chu Mingshan, happy as she was, didn’t mind. She only reminded her, “Go tell your dad, your sister-in-law gave birth to twins.”
Jiang Ying nodded obediently and left.
Lin Tian was awakened by the babies’ cries, slowly remembering she had given birth. When she opened her eyes, she met Chu Ci’s concerned gaze. “Aunt Miao made chicken soup for you. Do you want to get up and eat a bit?” he asked.
She was indeed hungry and nodded, with Chu Ci helping her sit up. She felt the wound pain but endured it.
The babies had cried because they were hungry. Chu Mingshan and Aunt Miao each held a baby, feeding them formula. Once fed, the babies quieted down.
At that moment, Chu Mingshan approached Lin Tian, concerned: “Tiantian, you’ve worked hard. Focus on your recovery. I’ll stay here with Aunt Miao for the next month, so don’t worry.”
Lin Tian was very grateful that her aunt had taken the initiative to help her, and she said, “Thank you so much for taking care of this, Aunt.”
“It’s nothing, it’s only right. But just now Xiao Ci mentioned that you had already chosen Ling Ling’s nickname early on. We haven’t picked one for the boy yet, you should think of one when you have time,” her aunt said.
Only then did Lin Tian really look at the two babies. One was drinking milk rapidly and eagerly, while the other was slow and leisurely. She looked at the baby in Chu Mingshan’s arms, who was drinking anxiously, and asked, “Aunt, is the one you’re holding a boy or a girl?”
“It’s a boy. He’s very lively,” Chu Mingshan replied with a smiling praise.
“In that case, let’s call him Manman, meaning ‘slowly.’ Hopefully, he won’t grow up to be impatient,” Lin Tian said after thinking it over.
Chu Mingshan thought it a bit casual at first, but then considered it acceptable and agreed to the nickname.
Chu Ci, hearing it, nodded in agreement. “Tiantian picked a good name. Boys shouldn’t be impatient.”
Chu Mingshan didn’t argue further. After feeding the babies, she suddenly remembered something: “Oh, I still need to call your grandparents to tell them the good news. And make sure grandpa starts thinking about their formal names.” With that, she placed the babies by Lin Tian’s bed and hurried out of the room.
Lin Tian had finished eating and replenished her strength. The two babies were now by her bedside.
She and Chu Ci seriously looked at the children. Their faces were reddish, and their features could just be discerned. She asked, “Do you think they look like you?”
“Aunt said Ling Ling’s eyebrows and nose resemble me, her face shape and mouth resemble you. She’ll be a beautiful girl when she grows up. Manman’s features all look like you, but his face shape is like mine,” Chu Ci replied.
Lin Tian imagined Chu Ci in girls’ clothing, he’d probably look like a little fairy, which seemed plausible. But their son looking like her… would he be too pretty? She was confident and had never thought her children with Chu Ci would be unattractive.
The twins, having just finished feeding, fell asleep. Lin Tian looked at their cute little faces and felt her maternal love, dulled by pain, beginning to awaken.
She looked at the children; Chu Ci looked at her. Aunt Miao had already left discreetly.
“Tiantian, thank you,” Chu Ci said, all the words he wanted to speak condensed into those three.
Lin Tian looked up at him. Chu Ci, who hadn’t slept all night, had red veins in his eyes. His normally neat shirt was wrinkled, and he looked a little disheveled.
“You want to thank me properly, so from now on you have to listen to me for all family matters, okay?” Lin Tian asked with a smile.
Chu Ci nodded, his eyes filled with apology and gratitude, “No problem.”
Remembering how Aunt Miao and the others had held the babies earlier, Lin Tian picked up their daughter and said to Chu Ci, “You hold your son too.”
Chu Ci imitated her, lifting their son. Fortunately, both children continued sleeping peacefully despite the movement.
The family of four enjoyed this rare moment together.
Before long, Chu Mingshan returned. Seeing them holding the babies, she whispered, “I’ve already told your grandparents the good news. Grandpa has already decided on the names: the boy is Chu Yanqing, the girl is Chu Jiangning. He hopes that when the children grow up, our Huaguo will be peaceful and prosperous, like the river at Jiangning at low tide.”
Lin Tian liked the names immediately, smiling, “Grandpa chose such beautiful names. I really like them.”
Chu Ci also liked them, but asked another question: “Did Grandpa and Grandma say when they’ll come see Manman and Ling Ling?”
Hearing this, Chu Mingshan sighed, “You know, your grandfather is very busy, and your grandmother has to take care of him. But Xiao Ci, one day our family will be together.”
Chu Ci lowered his eyes, then quickly regained composure, “I understand, Aunt. It’s okay if they can’t come. When Manman and Ling Ling reach their full month, I’ll take some photos and send them to Grandpa and Grandma.”
The melancholic topic passed quickly, and they returned to the joyous atmosphere of new life.
Chu Ci took three days off school to stay with Lin Tian in the hospital.
Lin Tian did nothing, waiting each day for Aunt Wang to deliver meals, eating, then sleeping when tired, occasionally checking on the babies.
The twins weren’t difficult to care for. During the day, Chu Mingshan and Aunt Miao looked after them. At night, Lin Tian and Chu Ci took over: she breastfed, while Chu Ci mixed formula for both babies and changed their diapers. They divided the tasks and cooperated smoothly.
After three days, Lin Tian was ready to be discharged and return home.
Her uncle Jiang Hu came to pick her up. He had also visited once during her hospital stay but, being busy with work, soon left.
Chu Mingshan took a month off, planning to return to work after Lin Tian’s full month celebration. She couldn’t handle everything, but could help watch the babies.
Back home, Lin Tian resumed a life of comfort, bed and food always at hand. She only occasionally breastfed, making the days surprisingly monotonous.
It was autumn, and the weather wasn’t too hot, making her confinement more bearable. Still, she couldn’t tolerate not washing her hair.
Luckily, Chu Ci listened. On the tenth day, he secretly boiled ginger water for her at night. Lin Tian washed her hair once and felt much better.
Since Lin Tian had twins, her confinement lasted nearly two months before she was allowed out.
By then, the babies had grown noticeably, showing clearer resemblances. Ling Ling resembled her father, Manman resembled her mother. Their personalities differed: Manman loved to laugh and was lively, waving tiny fists at everyone, while Ling Ling was quiet, only making noise when hungry or wet, otherwise sleeping or observing with wide eyes.
When the babies reached their one-month mark, Chu Mingshan had already returned home, leaving Aunt Wang to help Lin Tian and Chu Ci. Lin Tian felt guilty, constantly urging Chu Ci to find another reliable nanny.
Unfortunately, even by the twins’ two-month milestone, no suitable nanny had been found.
Thankfully, her aunt’s family didn’t mind, even preferring that Aunt Wang continue caring for the babies.
The full month celebration was arranged by Lin Tian and Chu Ci. They held it at home with few guests: her aunt’s family, a few of Chu Ci’s classmates like Xu Yuan whom Lin Tian had met, Lin Tian’s friend Zhao Yunyun, and Huo Mingzhao’s family, the male lead’s family.
Notably, Zhao Yunyun and Xu Zhiyuan had officially started dating. However, after their matchmaking meeting, Xu Zhiyuan returned to the island, and they could only communicate by letters and calls.
Lin Tian gained some weight during her confinement, but she appeared plump and graceful.
The twins were the stars of the day. Manman smiled goofily at everyone giving him red envelopes or wanting to hold him. Ling Ling, however, would cry if anyone other than family touched her.
Chu Ci had mentioned to Lin Tian, “Our children have completely opposite personalities. The son is carefree, the daughter wears a serious little face, even as a baby.”
Lin Tian couldn’t help but laugh, thinking, “That’s just ‘silly’ and ‘unhappy’.”
She retorted lightly, “They’re still very young.”
The male lead came today with his mother. Seeing the twins, he was clearly excited, especially Huo Xiaoyu, who loved the smiling little brother.
Before leaving, he reluctantly said to Lin Tian, “Auntie, can I stay at your house? I don’t want to leave my brother.”
Lin Tian was torn between laughter and tears, but Xu Jingsi firmly refused him, “No, Auntie and Uncle Chu need to take care of the twins. You have to go home with your mom.”
Huo Xiaoyu looked disappointed but obedient. “Alright, I’ll come visit the twins in a couple of days. I’ve also prepared toys for them and will bring them next time.”
Reluctantly, Huo Xiaoyu followed his mother. Lin Tian watched his small figure, seeing him glance back occasionally. In that moment, all her past grudges disappeared.
Chu Mingshan and Jiang Ying were the last to leave. Lin Tian spoke with her aunt about wanting Aunt Wang to return home, as her aunt’s family and Aunt Wang had been accustomed to each other over the years.
Now she could take care of the babies for a while, and during this time, they could find another nanny.
Chu Ci chimed in, “Yes, Aunt, you’ve already helped us so much.”
Jiang Ying, having eaten at the cafeteria for two months, was really fed up. “Mom, look, I’ve lost weight. I have the college entrance exams coming up.”
At this, Chu Mingshan, worried about both her daughter and husband, finally agreed.
After Aunt Wang left, the cribs for the twins were moved to Lin Tian and Chu Ci’s room, since they still wanted to personally take care of the babies. Lin Tian had a clear plan: the economic reforms were coming soon, so she would only be able to spend a few months fully attending to the children.
This was the first day the couple was at home alone with the twins. Lin Tian, concerned, asked Chu Ci, “Do you think they’ll wake up multiple times during the night?”
“They won’t. Aunt Miao said they’re very obedient,” Chu Ci reassured her, though he wasn’t entirely sure himself.
The twins weren’t asleep yet. Lin Tian was playing with Manman, while Ling Ling was in her father’s arms, blowing bubbles and entertaining herself.
Lin Tian held a rattle to attract Manman’s attention. Sure enough, his eyes followed her movements, occasionally smiling at his mother. Lin Tian couldn’t resist and kissed his little face a few times, then said to Chu Ci, “Our son is just too cute. Ling Ling’s name should’ve been his.”
“Whatever they lack, we compensate for. I think the nickname you chose is great. And our daughter is very clever, she just doesn’t show it. When she drinks milk, isn’t she so lively?” Chu Ci said with a gentle smile. He liked both children but was a little partial to their daughter.
After playing for a while, Manman grew tired. He yawned and slowly closed the big eyes that were just like his mother’s. Seeing her brother sleepy, Ling Ling seemed affected too, and soon both children fell asleep.
Lin Tian and Chu Ci weren’t tired yet and began counting the red envelopes they had received that day.
Although only Chu Mingshan had come from Chu Ci’s family, no one had skipped giving red envelopes. Chu Ci’s mother, Mrs. Ye Meilin, had even sent each grandchild a pair of gold bracelets. Lin Tian was curious about how her mother-in-law could be so wealthy, so she asked, “Mom, does she have a high salary? She always spends so lavishly.”
“It’s from my grandfather’s estate. His family used to be a well-known scholarly household. If it weren’t for my mother’s background, she wouldn’t have married my father,” Chu Ci explained without hiding anything.
Lin Tian sighed inwardly. In that era, there were so many things beyond one’s control. Fortunately, it was all in the past, and a brand-new future awaited them.
At midnight, as expected, the twins cried. Chu Ci quickly got up to check if they needed diaper changes. Seeing that wasn’t the case and that they were hungry, he hurried to prepare formula.
Lin Tian, barely able to keep her eyes open, picked up one baby and breastfed him. Chu Ci returned to feed the other baby formula.
Afterward, Lin Tian quickly fell asleep, leaving the cleanup to Chu Ci.
During the day, when Chu Ci had classes, the care of the babies was left to Lin Tian and Aunt Miao. Since Aunt Miao had other household chores, Lin Tian often had to take the lead.
Before long, she returned to her pre-pregnancy weight.
Seeing this, Chu Ci felt a mix of worry and affection, and he accelerated the search for a nanny. Soon enough, they found one: a recently divorced older sister, surname Xie. Lin Tian called her Sister Xie.
Sister Xie was excellent at taking care of children, greatly easing Lin Tian’s burden.
Not long after, Lin Tian finally received the policy news about the country’s economic development. That day, she was overjoyed.
When Chu Ci returned home, he first hugged the twins as usual. Seeing Lin Tian’s obvious excitement, he could sense it. Holding their daughter, he asked, “You’re so happy… let me guess, is it because of the upcoming reform and opening-up?”
It wasn’t surprising that Chu Ci could guess. Lin Tian had long expressed her desire to start a business. As an economics student, he naturally understood the significance of such a policy change.
“That’s right, Chu Ci. Do you know? The country is about to enter a period of rapid development. I have to seize this opportunity; I absolutely cannot miss it.” Lin Tian never hid her ambition or pursuit. She was not the type to stay at home revolving around the children.
“I’ve always said I’ll support you. The babies can have formula from now on. With Aunt Miao and Sister Xie around, I’ll check on them after class. You just go do what you want,” Chu Ci said gently, looking at her with affection.
That night, Lin Tian had trouble sleeping.
In the darkness, Chu Ci held her hand, interlacing their fingers. In a low voice, he asked, “What’s wrong? Can’t sleep?”
“I just feel a little guilty toward Manman and Ling Ling. They’re so young, and I can’t be with them all the time. Chu Ci… do you think I’m being selfish?” Perhaps her maternal instincts had awakened these feelings.
Lin Tian didn’t pull away, and Chu Ci gripped her hand tighter. He said again, “People are inherently selfish. Becoming a mother doesn’t mean you have to give up your own pursuits. Besides, you’re with them when you come home. Don’t overthink. Just do what you want. I and the children are your strongest support, not a burden.”
Lin Tian paused, then said, “…I’ve never thought that way before.”
“I know,” Chu Ci said with a gentle laugh.
“I know you’ve already planned how to start, but there will inevitably be difficulties. If you encounter unsolvable problems or hesitation, remember to tell me. I may not solve them, but I can share the burden. Lin Tian, we’re married, remember that.”
“All right, I understand,” Lin Tian said with a smile, hugging his waist and lying sideways in his arms.
Chu Ci tensed, then wrapped his arms around her.